PUB customers are warned to be on their guard following a rise in sneak thefts.

Local police chiefs are concerned by a notable increase in mobile phone and wallet thefts being suffered by revellers in a host of pubs and clubs around the borough.

However, in all cases most of the crimes could have been prevented.

Detective Sergeant Duncan Heywood, of Bury's Operational Police Unit, said common sense should be the order of the day.

"People tend to leave their phones, wallets or purses in their coats which are then placed on the back of chairs," he said.

"It is then easy for thieves to steal things from the pockets when the owner has gone to the bar or toilet. You should take items of worth with you or leave them with a friend."